Highlights of RBI’s monetary policy statement

MUMBAI: Following are the highlights of the RBI’s 5th bi-monthly monetary policy statement of 2019-20:-

* Repo rate or short-term lending rate unchanged at 5.15 pc;

* GDP growth forecast lowered for current fiscal to 5 pc from 6.1 pc earlier;

* Various high frequency indicators suggest demand conditions remained weak;

* RBI continues with accommodative monetary stance to revive growth;

* Recognises that there is monetary policy space for future action;

* Retains retail inflation projection for second half of year raised to 5.1-4.7 pc;

* RBI notes monetary transmission to improve going forward;

* Foreign exchange reserves stood at USD 451.7 bn on Dec 3, up USD 38.8 bn over March-end 2019;

* All members of rate-setting Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted for rate pause;

* Next monetary policy review meet scheduled during February 4-6, 2019. (agencies)